OBJECTIVES: We evaluated a strategy for preventing tuberculosis (TB) in communities most affected by it. METHODS: In 1996, we mapped reported TB cases (1985-1995) and positive tuberculin skin test (TST) reactors (1993-1995) in Smith County, Texas. We delineated the 2 largest, densest clusters, identifying 2 highest-incidence neighborhoods (180 square blocks, 3153 residents). After extensive community preparation, trained health care workers went door-to-door offering TST to all residents unless contraindicated. TST-positive individuals were escorted to a mobile clinic for radiography, clinical evaluation, and isoniazid preventive treatment (IPT) as indicated. To assess long-term impact, we mapped all TB cases in Smith County during the equivalent time period after the project. RESULTS: Of 2258 eligible individuals, 1291 (57.1%) were tested, 229 (17.7%) were TST positive, and 147 were treated. From 1996 to 2006, there were no TB cases in either project neighborhood, in contrast with the preintervention decade and the continued occurrence of TB in the rest of Smith County. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting high-incidence neighborhoods for active, community-based screening and IPT may hasten TB elimination in the United States

OBJETIVOS: Evaluamos una estrategia para la prevención de la tuberculosis en las comunidades más afectadas por esta enfermedad. MÉTODOS: En 1996, trazamos un mapa de los casos de tuberculosis notificados (1985-1995) y de las personas con reacción positiva a la prueba de la tuberculina (1993-1995) en el condado de Smith, Texas, Estados Unidos de América. Definimos los dos conglomerados de mayor tamaño y densidad, identificando los dos vecindarios con mayor incidencia (180 manzanas y 3 153 residentes). Tras una preparación intensiva de la comunidad, personal sanitario capacitado ofreció a todos los residentes, de vivienda en vivienda, la posibilidad de hacerse la prueba de la tuberculina, a menos que estuviera contraindicado. A las personas con resultados positivos en esta prueba se las acompañó a un consultorio móvil para realizarles ahí radiografías, una evaluación clínica y, según fuera pertinente, proceder con el tratamiento preventivo con isoniazida. Para evaluar las repercusiones a largo plazo, trazamos un mapa de todos los casos de tuberculosis que se registraron en el condado de Smith durante el período equivalente después del proyecto. RESULTADOS: De las 2 258 personas que cumplían los requisitos para participar, 1 291 (57,1%) se sometieron a la prueba de la tuberculina, 229 (17,7%) presentaron resultados positivos en dicha prueba y 147 fueron tratadas. De 1996 al 2006, no se registró ningún caso de tuberculosis en ninguno de los vecindarios del proyecto, a diferencia de lo ocurrido en el decenio anterior a la intervención y en el resto del condado de Smith, donde aparecieron continuamente casos de tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONES: Dirigirse a los vecindarios con una incidencia alta para realizar el tamizaje activo en la comunidad y aplicar tratamiento preventivo con isoniazida puede acelerar la eliminación de la tuberculosis en los Estados Unidos.

Foram estudados alguns aspectos da biologia da avifauna do Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, fragmento de 60 ha de Mata Atlântica, no município de Igarassu, Pernambuco. Objetivando obter informações acerca das espécies desse bioma, foram realizadas observações entre agosto de 1996 e julho de 1997 e capturas mensais utilizando redes de neblina, entre julho de 2003 e junho de 2004. Entre observações, capturas, recapturas e recuperações, foram registradas 151 espécies (31 famílias) para a área, onde 456 aves (53 espécies/25 famílias) foram capturadas com redes ornitológicas. Foram recuperadas 10 espécies (tempo de anilha de seis a oito anos). O número de capturas foi maior nos meses mais quentes. A maioria das espécies capturadas (52,8%) teve freqüência de ocorrência menor que 25%, sendo Manacus manacus (Linnaeus, 1766), Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783), Neopelma pallescens (Lafresnaye, 1853) e Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 as mais freqüentes. Houve correlação significativa entre as análises dos valores médios entre massa corpórea e sexo, dados biométricos (medidas da asa, tarso e diâmetro do tarso) e sexo e entre mudas e estação do ano. O maior período com muda associada à placa de incubação foi de março a maio (pico em maio). Os resultados fortaleceram a imprevisibilidade dos efeitos das alterações ambientais na estrutura da comunidade de aves em longo prazo. Reforçam ainda que os desequilíbrios populacionais possam vir a aumentar as chances de extinção, sendo necessárias novas alternativas para a proteção da biodiversidade, sobretudo em fragmentos florestais.

We carried out a study about the biology of the avifauna of Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, a 60 ha fragment of Atlantic Forest in the town of Igarassu, Pernambuco. To obtain information about species of this bioma, observations were done between August, 1996 and July, 1997 and monthly captures using mist nets were conducted between July, 2003 and June, 2004. Among observations, captures, recaptures and recovers, 151 species (31 families) were registered in the study area, and 456 birds (from 53 species and 25 families) were trapped in the nets. Ten species had been recovered (life span from six to eight years). The amount of captures was greater during months with higher temperatures. The majority of captured species (52,8%) had frequency of occurrence less than 25%; Manacus manacus (Linnaeus, 1766), Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783), Neopelma pallescens (Lafresnaye, 1853), and Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 were the most frequent. We observed significant correlation between average body mass and sex; length of the wing and tarsus and diameter of tarsus with sex, and of molt with seasons. The main period with molt associated with the brood patches was from March to May (with a peak in May). The findings reinforce the unpredictability of the effects of alterations in the structure of bird community in long term. The population unbalance can increase the possibilities of extinction, highlighting the need of new alternatives for the protection of biodiversity, specially in forest fragments.

The objective of this study was to investigate feather mites on birds of the Family Emberizidae, to collect data on the ecological ectoparasite-host relationship and infestation level. A sum of 94 birds of 9 species was captured at the Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, Igarassú, Pernambuco, Brazil, from August 1996 to July 1997. Five genera of mites from the superfamily Analgoidea were identified: Analges Nitzsch, 1818; Mesalgoides Gaud & Atyeo, 1967; Pterodectes Robin, 1877; Proctophyllodes Robin, 1877 and Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899. Among the 94 birds examined, 92 (97,87%) were infested. Regarding the prevalence, it was observed that the genera with higher percentage were, respectively, Pterodectes (88,04%), Proctophyllodes (56,52%) and Trouessartia (45,65%).